WATCH: “What is that s***?” Thanasi Kokkinakis has a fiery exchange with chair umpire during thrilling clash with Andy Murray at the Australian Open
Second round match between Thanasi Kokkinakis and Andy Murray had a fair share of drama which involved a fiery exchange between the Aussie and the chair umpire.
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Thanasi Kokkinakis having fiery exchange with the umpire (Image: Courier Mail)
Australian player Thanasi Kokkinakis had tough time during the Australian Open second-round match against Andy Murray. Kokkinakis took the first two sets against the Brit but Murray picked up later to level the game after the fourth set. For Kokkinakis, coming from a straight-set victory in the first round, a marathon in the Margret Court Arena was not expected.
The first four sets of the match produced some of the most thrilling actions of the 2023 edition of the Australian Open. A confident Andy Murray after his first-round victory produced solid defense against the Aussie which left him frustrated at one point forcing him to smash his racquet.
In another dramatic incident, Kokkinakis got involved in a fiery exchange with the chair umpire which threatened to derail his shot at victory. The incident happened when Kokkinakis was just about to serve but not before taking too much time and getting handed a time violation.
“No mate, what are you doing?” he screamed at the chair umpire. “I’m waiting. What is that s***? You can’t call that while I’m waiting for quiet. I was there, I waited, he said something, and I go again. “You are just saying that because you felt bad about him.” “That’s 100 percent. “What’s the problem then? No, no, no you’re not waiting for s***. “I’ve been waiting for him to stop talking. What are you talking about?” Kokkinakis continued.
“You’re wrong, you’re wrong again,” the Aussie shouted once again before going back for his serve.
Related: Novak Djokovic wins Round 2, still favorite, but the Australian Open can be crazy like in 1998
Consecutive five-setter for Andy Murray in the 2023 Australian Open
The Brit has had a great start to the season’s first Grand Slam. In the first round, Andy Murray surpassed Matteo Barrentini in a thrilling encounter lasting for five sets. There were no respites for him in the second round either.
The 2022 Australian Open doubles champion Thanasi Kokkinakis put a difficult challenge in front of Murray. The home crowd favorite Kokkinakis took the first two sets as Murray’s defense looked crumbling. But from the third round, Murray made an exceptional recovery.
Murray took the next two sets. During the third set, he produced an incredible defense that snatched a valuable point from Kikkinakis. After the fourth set, the match still looked even balanced.
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Abhinavendu Singh
(290 Articles Published)